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Bellesguard, also
known as Torre de Bellesguard or Casa Figueras, was built upon the ruins of
the 15th-century residence of Martín I el Humano, the last king of Catalonia.
More than any other, this house clearly demonstrates Gaudí's patriotism as it
commemorates Catalonia's age of glory.

Built of brick
and local slate, Bellesguard is a fairly simple Neogothic building - it was
built during the period where Gaudí was still developing his unique style but
had not yet reached his peak. For example, it does not include Moorish accents
and bright colors, which are important elements in much of his work.

The pointed tower,
parapets, unadorned iron gate, and battlements on the roof make Bellesguard
look like a relic from medieval times.In
sharp constrast, the interior of the building is light and airy, like an Art
Nouveau villa. The walls and pillars are formed with white, rounded plaster.

When Gaudí quit
working on Bellesguard in 1909, Domènec Sugranes, who designed the gate, ceramic
benches, and natural stone mosaics, took over and completed the building in
1917.